Author
Topic: J.S. Bach on the Organ (Read 317787 times)

jlaurson

Another request for your comments - anyone familiar with this series on Berlin Classics?

Johann Sebastian Bach - Das Orgelwerk auf Silbermann Orgeln

(Zweitauseneins has them cheap! )

Thanks! Q

I don't have the complete set (45 Euros and less on Amazon.de, $77 and less on Amazon.com -- but I've lobbied Berlin Classics (so far unsuccessfully) to send it over, alright. I did buy several volumes of this when Tower went out of business, and I must say that I did not regret buying any of them. I like that sumptuous, comfortable sound (distortion happens here and there, reminding me perhaps of the tapes my dad made for me of the Bach organ works when I was a wee lad) and the slightly indulgent playing on these moderate-sized instruments. I also quite liked Kevin Bowyer's (similarly luxurious) style in the three, four copies I picked up from that cycle. (Organ Mass, for example.)

But having worked my way through Weinberger over Thanksgiving, I must say that I like his slightly dryer, understated approach quite a bit, too. Especially in the smaller works that works very well... although I like an organist who juices the "biggest hits" a little more. To that effect, Karl Richter is still absolutely essential. And I like Isoir's AoF quite a bit better. Unfortunately (??) it's the only part of his Bach cycle I have. But then, I'd have too many, anyway. Stockmeier still somewhere on the shelves, too - Fagius, of course [bec. part of the Brilliant box]... and plans on getting one of the Walcha sets, too.

From my "Best of 2008" choices for WETA:Weinberger doesn’t aim for bombast (near-impossible, on the historic instruments from Saxony and Thuringia, anyway), and he is not the most impressive in some of the ‘biggest hits’ works. (Karl Richter’s 3 CD set is still a mandatory addition to any Bach organ collection, no matter who the interpreter). But apart from minor quibbles, it is a magnificent complete set.

Recently got this. Diapason d'Or & Grand Prix du Disque, and all that. And I know the recording has quite a few admirers, but to me it's a bit of a disappointment really... I feel it's underpowered and underarticulated. Sounds actually rather "old fashioned" in approach. I'm not against the use of legato in Bach organ works, but this is clearly overdone IMO. One and a half hour of smooth, whispering Bach is too much for me. If this is the best Isoir has to offer, I'll happily pass over the rest, no offence!

My taste for Bach on the organ seems to be a bit old-fashioned. I have Walcha's stereo set, and enjoy it a great deal. I also have a couple of singles from Werner Jacob and E Powers Biggs (best organist name ever).

If I wanted to try a disc or two of more "modern" Bach organ recordings, what would you recommend? Preferably something that has a good version of the Passacaglia & Fugue (yes, I know it's probably the organ equivalent of an old warhorse, but I love that piece...).

Logged

The man that hath no music in himself,Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds,Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils.The motions of his spirit are dull as night,And his affections dark as Erebus.Let no such man be trusted.

-- William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice

jlaurson

My taste for Bach on the organ seems to be a bit old-fashioned. I have Walcha's stereo set, and enjoy it a great deal. I also have a couple of singles from Werner Jacob and E Powers Biggs (best organist name ever).

If I wanted to try a disc or two of more "modern" Bach organ recordings, what would you recommend? Preferably something that has a good version of the Passacaglia & Fugue (yes, I know it's probably the organ equivalent of an old warhorse, but I love that piece...).

BWV 582 is one of my absolute favorites, too.

There is a lovely recording of 5 versions of 582 on Signum. Unfortunately not easily available in the US or UK, but still in Germany and France (via Amazon).

The "straight" performance--on an organ of Bach's time without fancy register changes--might be the most compelling one. Very simple, very no-nonsense... and establishing precisely that necessary "necessarily, compelling, inescapable momentum" that makes it so special.Also includes Two Pianos (very good), solo piano, Stokowski-orchestral, and Liszt-Organ versions.

This isn't modern, either, but it also includes a sublime Passacaglia and is in any case the best 3-CD set of Bach organ music that can be had: Karl Richter on DG (mentioned at some length in my "Best of 2005" and having only grown since, in my appreciation.)

Among modern Bach organ performances that also include a wonderful Passacaglia, I'd chose Bowyers. It's Volume 9 of his series on Nimbus.

« Last Edit: February 11, 2009, 06:47:43 AM by jlaurson »

Logged

Bulldog

My taste for Bach on the organ seems to be a bit old-fashioned. I have Walcha's stereo set, and enjoy it a great deal. I also have a couple of singles from Werner Jacob and E Powers Biggs (best organist name ever).

If I wanted to try a disc or two of more "modern" Bach organ recordings, what would you recommend? Preferably something that has a good version of the Passacaglia & Fugue (yes, I know it's probably the organ equivalent of an old warhorse, but I love that piece...).

Check out "Baroque Organ Triology" on the Pro Organo label played by Claudia Dumschat. Wonderful performances of BWV 582 and a few other Bach works. Also has a couple of Buxtehude and Bruhns organ works. Easily one of my favorite organ discs of baroque music. BUT, nobody plays BWV 582 as well as Biggs.

The man that hath no music in himself,Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds,Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils.The motions of his spirit are dull as night,And his affections dark as Erebus.Let no such man be trusted.

Yes, they are different. The latter are the recordings previously issued on the Swiss Novalis label.I'm surprised about what you heard about - FWIW I think it's top notch Bach organ playing and I believe I'm not alone in this opinion.

Yes, they are different. The latter are the recordings previously issued on the Swiss Novalis label.I'm surprised about what you heard about - FWIW I think it's top notch Bach organ playing and I believe I'm not alone in this opinion.

Q

No, you are not alone in this opinion, except maybe concerning vol. One (with BWV 565 and 542), which I find a tad too willful and overembellished - often the problem with Koopman.

Thanks. For a moment I thought, you meant Stereo Quality, and this is a mono recording. BTW compared to the DG original release, the Membram release has obviously been "injected" with some ambience, altogether tastefully done, but constituting an unnecessary addition. But still the Membran release is a steal.

Logged

Tiden læger alle sår,heldigt nok at tiden går.

Buying Music From Amazon?Please consider using these links. A small percentage of every sale using these links is passed on to GMG and helps keep this forum online.